Multifunction automatic switches



Jan. 3, 1967 United States Patent O 3,296,381 MULTIFUNCTION AUTOMATIC SWITCHES John Edward Cox, Garfield, and Guenter Joachim Boehm, Emerson, NJ., assignors to International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Maryland Original application Feb. 23, 1960, Ser. No. 10,364, now Patent No. 3,236,952, dated Feb. 22, 1966. Divided and this application Dec. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 515,586 4 Claims. (Cl. 179-18) This invention relates to switching arrangements and more particularly to multifunction automatic switches useful in such arrangements. It is a division of a copending application entitled Selector, Serial No. 10,364, filed February 23, 1960, now Patent No. 3,236,952, and assigned to the assignee of this invention.

Automatic switches were originally utilized for performing relatively few functions. For example, when used in conjunction with telephone systems they were used for extending calls and sending supervisory signals. As the number of functions performed by automatic switches increased, the number of components used to control the switches also increased. For example, side switches, post spring contact arrays, auxiliary or level wipers and associated relays, and combinations thereof are among the cornponents that have been utilized to control automatic switches. Two principal devices which have been used recently are post spring contact arrays and auxiliary Wipers with their associated relays. As the need for required switch exibility increased, the post spring Contact arrays also increased in size and became unduly costly. In a similar manner, when auxiliary wipers were utilized, a great number of relays were required to obtain the desired number of switch functions thereby increasing costs. It is, therefore, desirable to control automatic multifunction switches such as selectors without requiring a complex array of post spring contacts and while using a minimum number of relays.

Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide new and improved multifunction automatic switches.

It is another object of this invention to provide such switches that utilize a minimum number of control relays.

Yet another object of this invention is the use of switch magnets for circuit control as well as for switch control.

These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by means of a multifunction automatic switch comprising a two motion automatic switch controlled by only ve control relays and functioning as directed by level-markings on auxiliary contacts. One level marking causes the switch to perform a self-interrupted, hunting operation. Another level marking blocks further switch operation and sends busy tone. Still another level-marking causes switch drop-back and unlock. While yet another level-marking causes the switch to drop back whenever directed thereto. Only five relays are required in the switch control circuit because certain components are reused. For instance, a relay which is used for directing the switch in a primary direction to a level is also used for controlling switch operations during secondary switch motion. Switch release is controlled by a two-step electromagnet which, along with other functions, releases the switch on an initial step and removes dial tone on a subsequent step. The subsequent or resultant step occurs responsive to the operation of the electromagnet on the first step. In the first step the magnet is fully magnetized. In the resultant step the magnet is partially released. The switch-through relay also has a multiplicity of uses such as use in connection with digit-absorb-once-only levels, and with switch-blocked levels, as well as for the removal of dial tone and application of busy tone.

ICC

The above mentioned and other objects and advantages of the subject invention and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent while the invention itself will be best understood by making reference to the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which shows in combined block and schematic form part of a telephone system including the multifunction automatic switch connected as a digit absorbing selector.

Where possible, simple terms are used and specific items are desired hereinafter to facilitate an understanding of the invention; however; it should be understood that the use of such terms and references to such items are not to act in any manner as a disclaimer of the full range of equivalents which is normally given under established rules of patent law. For example, the drawing shows a release magnet which illustrates the principle of a twostep switch control magnet that may perform not only mechanical switch control but also electrical control; whereas, the principle may be applied to any similar magnets such as the vertical or rotary magnets.

The invention contemplates a multipurpose automatic switch which may take any suitable form; however, the specific embodiment that is shown in the drawing comprises a vertical and rotary, step-by-s'tep switch having a principal set of wipers or brushes 60-62 and a vertical or auxiliary wiper or brush AW-l. Responsive to the receipt of digit pulses, both the principal and the auxiliary wipers (60-62 and AW-I) are driven in a first or primary direction. Principal wipers 60-62 come to rest adjacent to a selected level of contacts and auxiliary wiper AW-l comes to rest in a particular terminal which is individually associated with the selected level, thus providing means for selectively marking individual levels via H, B, A and AR wiring in accordance with functions which are required on such levels. Each of the levels includes first terminals to which telephone lines are connected and final or over flow contacts to which other or supervisory devices (such as a peg count meter) may be connected. Three switch controlling magnets V, R and Z are shown. One (magnet Z) is a two-step affair which operates to its initial step when energized by solid ground applied via off-normal contacts N1, and to its resultant step when energized at reduced current Via resistance RY1. More particularly, magnet Z is a release magnet which is used for restoring the wipers to normal after either an A level is dialed, an AR level is dialed or a call is terminated. In all these cases the magnet has to be operated to its initial step in order to insure the proper release of the switch. Magnet Z is also used for removing dial tone from the line after the switch is restored from an A or an AR level. On these levels the release magnet is initially energized by ground applied directly over offnormal contacts N1. The Z1 contacts are adjusted so that the break contact breaks only after the release mechanism that holds the switch in the dialed position is disengaged. This insures the complete release of the switch. While the magnet is in its initial and resultant steps contacts Z1 opens the circuit to auxiliary wiper AW-L In its resultant step only the make contacts Z1 and Z2 are engaged (the release mechanism RM is not engaged) to remove dial tone from the line. Magnet Z remains in the resultant step until the next digit is dialed. The locking circuit to magnet Z is opened by the operation of contact V1 with the first pulse of the next digit. One of the reasons for keeping magnet Z in its resultant step is to prevent destruction of the Z magnet coil when it is operated between dialing. Therefore, the two-step operation of a switch controlling magnet may cause an unique circuit operation such as the control of supervisory signals in addition to normal switch control. It is thought that the remainingY individual components that are shown in the drawing are well known to those skilled in the art.

' Brief description The drawing shows, in` block diagram form, a portion of a typical telephone system, i.e. the calling subscriber station A is shown as connected to a line circuit which in turn is connected to an allotter and a linender that may cooperate to seize the selector ywhich is shown schematically. When calling subscriber A dials, line relay v30 operates and releases to drive primary or vertical magnet V in accordance with the series of pulses that are received. At this time, line relay 30 is connected to the talking conductors through contacts 41 and 42 and also 12 and 13. Each time the vertical magnet is energized, wipers 60-62 along with auxiliary wiper AW-l are raised one level. The level-marked auxiliary contact banks may cause any of the plurality of different functions, such as hunting, blocking, digit-absorbing-once-only, and digitabsorbing-repeatedly. These markings are depicted as an H level, a B level, an A level, and an AR level,

respectively.

When vertical auxiliary Wiper AW-l is directively stepped to the H level, level-mark relay 40 operates,

lthereby opening contacts 41 and 42 for disconnecting line lin the secondary or rotary direction while hunting for an idle marking which causes relay 50 to operate from battery on wiper 60.

The B level is marked by negative battery applied through the winding of switch-through relay 50. Responsive to the operation of switch-through relay 50, contacts 53 close and send busy tone to the dialing subscriber A. The switch is released in the usual manner when subscriber A replaces the receiver or handset thereby opening hookswitch contacts and releasing line relay 30.

The A level is also marked by negative battery applied through the winding of switch-through relay 50. However, level A is connected to operate release magnet Zv through contacts 56; whereas, level B is barred -from connection with the release magnet by rectiiier RRZ.

Responsive to the ground marking on the auxiliary wiper AW-l while operated to an A level, switch-through relay 50 operates to close contacts 56, thus causing the operation of release magnet Z to its initial step and the operation of level-mark relay 40. Responsive to the initial step operation of release magnet Z, dial tone is removed by the opening of contacts Z2, and release magnet Z is held operated in its resultant step position due to the reduced current caused by the insertion of resistance RY1 'when contacts N1 open on drop-back and contacts Z1 operate. In this resultant step position, no dial tone is transmitted because contacts Z2 remain open; however,

'the release mechanism RM returns to normal t-o allow further switch operation. Responsive to the operation of the level-mark relay 40, switchthrough relay 50 drops out.

'At thisl juncture, the switch is unlocked so that if directed to an A level again, it will hunt.

An AR level is marked by negative battery that is extended through the winding of release magnet Z, thus causing the switch to release whenever wiper AW-l is directed to this level.

Detailed description It is thought that a more complete understanding of the invention will result from the following description of the selector shown in the drawing.

Seizure-Means is provided for seizing the selector responsive to hookswitch control at a calling subscriber station. When the calling subscriber removes his receiver or handset from its hookswitch, the line circuit, allotter and linender operate in a normal manner. Ground from incoming sleeve P is applied through olf-normal contacts N3 to battery via the lower winding of series relay 10 which operates. Responsive to the application of battery through the lower winding of series relay 10 to incoming sleeve conductor P, the preceding equipment switches through to complete a loop for operating line relay 30. The calling subscriber hears dial tone transmitted over a circuit extending through contacts 52, Z2, the lower winding of line relay 30, contacts 13 and 42 in parallel, conductor R, the loop extending to station A and return over conductor 'T, contacts 12 and 41 to battery through the upper winding of relay 30.

Responsive to the operation of line relay 30, contacts 33 open a circuit which is used later to control rotary switch motion. Also responsive to the operation of line relay 30, contacts 31 close to complete an obvious circuit for operating hold relay 20. Contacts 32 open to break a circuit extending from ground to contacts 22 and 21.

Responsive to the operation of hold relay 20, normally open contacts 21 close to prepare a circuit extending from the ground connection of contacts 32. The normally closed contacts 22 open but have no eiect. Normally open contacts 23 close to extend ground through rectifier RR|1 to normally open contacts N2, and

. also in parallel to the normally open contacts 45. Normally open contacts 24 close to extend ground through the lower winding of switch-through relay 5t) and normally open -overow contacts OFS. Normally open contacts 25 close without eifect at this time. Contacts 26 are employed when time disconnect is not requiredit connects ground to preceding stages, to normally closed olf-normal contacts N3, to normally closed contacts 46, and to normally open contacts 59A. If timed disconnect is required, any suitable extended `adapter (not shown) is utilized to remove .ground applied to contacts 26 after the elapse of a measured period of time.

W'hen series relay 10 operates as explained above, normally closed contacts 15 break the ground circuit that extends through contacts 23, Z1, 15 and 43 to the auxiliary tor vertical level wiper AW-l; thus keeping ground oit the auxiliary wiper while it is stepped responsive to dialing. Normally closed contacts 1v1 open without eect. Contacts 12 and 13 close to connect the upper and lower windings of line relay 30 to talking conductors T and R. Normally open contacts 14 close to hold series relay 10 during subscriber dialing and to provide part of the pulsing path for vertical magnet V. Normally open contacts 16 close to apply ground to a supervisory alarm circuit, or to provide a start signal for timing.

To summarize, seizure of the selector results in the operation of line relay 30, Ihold relay 20, and series relay 10. Ground paths are prepared for maintaining series relay 10 during dialing and for pulsing primary or vertical magnet V through contacts 32, 21 and 14. Circuits are opened to prevent operation of the rotary magnet, to remove ground marking from the auxiliary wiper during stepping, and to prevent the operation of line relay 30 through rotary interrupter contacts R1. The seizure operation Valso results in transmission of dial tone to the calling subscriber.

Primary switch motion- Drive means is provided in the form of line relay 30 to control the operation of the switch as it moves in a first or primary direction respon- Vsive to the receipt of subscriber transmitted switch directing control signals. Although it is within the scope of the invention to use any suitable signaling system for operating the inventive switch, the drawing discloses means for responding to open loop pulsing, i.e. the subscriber dial (not shown) is adapted to lopen and close a loop across talking conductors T and R a number of times which corresponds to the numerical value of a digit that is dialed. Relay 30 releases and reoperates responsive to each open loop pulse since it is held operated over a circuit which includes the loop and pulsing dial contacts. Each time that line relay 30 releases, contacts 32 close to operate primary or vertical magnet V over a circuit which may be traced from battery through the winding of magnet V, contacts 14, `21 and 32 to ground. Each time `that magnet V operates the principal wipers 60-62 and auxiliary wiper AW-1 are driven one ystep in a primary or vertical direction.

It should also be noted that during the time between digit pulses when the subscriber dial recornpletes the loop, line relay 30 reoperates yto close contacts 31 for energizing hold relay Ztl which remains in a continuously operated condition due to its own slow release characteristics.

Responsive to the commencement of vertical stepping, off-normal contacts N1 close to prepare a path for release magnet Z, off-normal contacts N2 close to prepare a self-locking path for level-mark relay 40, and normally closed olf-normal contacts N3 are opened to break the circuit over which series relay originally operated. Thereafter, series relay 10 remains operated due to its slow release characteristics and periodic energization over the path traced from battery through the series relay 10 upper winding, contacts 14, 21 and 32 to ground.

At this juncture, any suitable end-of-dial-pulse-train detecting device such as series relay 10 may operate, i.e. after olf-normal contacts N3 open and during dialing, relay 10 is held operated over `a circuit that may be traced from battery on the upper winding of relay 10 through contacts 14, 21 and 32 to ground. Contacts 32 are pulsed responsive to the operation and release of line relay 30 as it repeats dial pulses. After the end of the digit-pulse-train, contacts 32 remain open for a period which is greater than the release timev of relay 10 which, therefore, drops out. Responsive to relay 10 returning to its normal or unoperated state, contact closes placing ground on the auxiliary wiper AW-l over a circuit that can be traced from ground on contact 23 through contacts Z1, 15 and 43 to wiper AW-L Also responsive to the release of relay 10, contacts 4.14 open the circuit to primary or vertical magnet V and series relay t10. Contacts 11 close connecting line relay 30 to rotary interrupter contacts R1.

summarizing the directive stepping operation, any suitable means may be used for directively causing the switch to move in a primary direction responsive to the receipt of incoming digit signals; for example, in the em- 'bodirnent of the invention -herein described line relay 30 operates contacts 31 to drive vertical magnet V. Upon termination of the digit-pulse-train, wipers 60-62 are resting at the directed level, auxiliary wiper AW-1 is marked with ground, relays 30 and 20 are operated, relay 30 is connected to open rotary interrupter contacts R1, and vertical magnet V is disconnected from the circuit. The switch is now prepared for its next operation which depends on lthe level to which the switch was operated.

Hunt level (H wirng).-Next, it is assumed that the switch is operated in a primary direction to a level that is marked by H wiring which causes the switch to hunt over contacts during a secondary or rotary switch motion.

Means is provided for changing-over the switch motion from a primary or vertical direction to a secondary or rotary direction responsive jointly to the release of series relay 10 at the end of a digit-pulse train and to the operation of level-mark relay 40 via H wiring. Responsive thereto contacts 12, 13, 41 and 42 open to disconnect line relay 30 from the talking conductors and contacts 11 close to connect line relay 30 to rotary interrupter contacts Thereafter line relay 30 is reused as a lock-pulse relay. That is, contacts 33 close to operate a secondary or rotary magnet R which causes the switch to take one step in a secondary direction, the circuit extending from battery through the Winding of magnet R, contacts 33, 57, 44, 15, Z1 and 23 to ground. A mechanical interlock (not shown) closes contacts R1 near the end of switch travel to operate line relay 30 over the circuit extending from battery through the winding of relay 30, contacts 11 and R1 to ground. Responsive thereto, contacts 33 open to release rotary magnet R. After a complete step, the mechanical interlock opens contacts R1 to release line relay 30 and in turn close contacts 33, thus initiating another step. The lock-pulse cycle just described insures complete steps despite any minor variations in the energization of magnet R.

Hunting is initiated when ground is applied to levelmark relay 40 over a path traced from negative battery through the relay winding, normally closed overflow spring contacts OFZ, hunt level conductor H, auxiliary or vertical level wiper AW-l, contacts 43, 15, Z1 and 23 to ground. Level-mark relay 40 operates and then locks over a path traced from negative battery on the relay winding, through normally closed overflow contacts OF2, resistor RY2, X or preliminary contacts 45, and operated off-normal contacts N2 to ground.

Responsive to the operation of relay 40, contacts 43 open, thus removing ground from auxiliary wiper AW1 while contacts 44 close preparing a ground path for rotary magnet R. Contacts 41 and 42 open to disconnect line relay 30 from the line. Responsive thereto, line relay 30 drops out and completes a ground circuit to operate rotary magnet R over a path which can be traced from the negative battery on rotary magnet R through contacts 33, 57, 44, 15, Z1 and 23 which remain closed af-ter release of relay 30 due to the slow release characteristics of hold relay 20. Also responsive to the operation of level-mark relay' 40, contacts 46 open to break a path to switchthrough relay 50. l

Responsive to the operation of rotary magnet R, wipers 60-62 step into the bank. Responsive thereto, rotary interrupter contacts R1 close, thus operating line relay 30 over a path including contacts 11. This in turn pulses rotary magnet R and causes another rotary step to be taken. The rotary stepping continues until switchthrough relay 50 operates either in response to an idle marking encountered by wiper 60 or to a marking applied by the actuation of overilow springs CF1.

First, it is assumed that an idle marking in the form of negative battery is encountered `by Wiper 60 during secondary switch motion. Responsive thereto, switchthrough relay 50 operates over a path traced from negative battery on wiper 60, through normally closed overflow contacts OF 1 the lower winding of relay 50 and contacts 24 to ground. Responsive to the operation of the switchthrough relay 50, X or preliminary contacts 57 open the pulsing circuit to the rotary magnet. Contacts 59 and 59B complete a holding circuit that can be -traced from the negative lbattery on the upper winding of relay 50 through contacts 59, 59B, N3 (operated) and 26 to ground. Also responsive to the opera-tion of switchthrough relay Sti, contacts 55 open a circuit to release magnet Z. Contacts 52, 53, 56 and 58 close without effect at this time. Contacts 51 and 54 close to switchthrough the heavily inked talking conductor to outgoing wipers 61 and 62. Contacts 59A prepare a parallel holding circuit for switch-through relay 50.

Next, it is assumed that an all busy condition is met, that no idle markings are found during secondary switch motion and that the principal wipers are driven into overflow where any suitable supervisory functions may be performed, for example, an all trunks busy signal may be given, a busy tone generator may be started, etc. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, overow contacts OFI, OF2 annd OF3 are operated responsive to rotary motion to a last step position such as the eleventh step. Level-mark relay 40 drops out when contacts OFZ open and switch-through relay 50 operates over a path traced from negative battery on the upper winding of relay 50 through overow contacts OFS and contacts 24 to ground. When relay 50 operates, busy tone is applied over contacts 53, Z2, the bottom winding of line relay 30, contacts 42, conductor R, the line of station A and returns via conductor T, contacts 41 and the top winding of relay 30 to battery. Overflow contacts CF1 place a ground marking on wiper 60 which can be used to control various supervisory functions such as to operate an all trunks busy meter or to start a busy tone generator.

When the switch is at an H level, it is released when the calling subscriber returns the handset or the receiver to the hookswitch. Responsive thereto, line relay 30 drops out; subsequently, hold relay 20 follows to open contacts 24 and 26; consequently, switch-through relay 50 also drops-out completing a path for release magnet Z which may be traced from negative battery on the RELEASE ALARM conductor, the winding of release magnet Z, contacts N1, 55, 22 and 32 to ground.

To summarize, the switch steps in a secondary direction either until wiper 60 is operatively connected to a contact providing an idle indicating negative battery or until the switch steps over all `the rotary contacts to operate eleventh step overow springs.V In either case, switch-through relay 50 operates. If no idle equipment is found, relay 40 is released and busy tone is sent to the calling subscriber through contacts 53. If an idle marking is found, the operation of relay 50 causes switchthrough. In lboth cases, release magnet Z operates the release mechanism only when the calling subscriber at station A returns the handset to the hookswitch. Thus, on an H level there is either a completed call or a busy signal.

Blocked level (B wiring) .-Means is provided for blocking secondary switch motion and returning busy tone when the switch is stepped in a primary direction to a B level. That is, responsive to the auxiliary or vertical level wiper AW-1 being stepped to a B level, switch-through relay 50 operates over a patch traced from the negative battery on its upper winding through the B level, wiper .AW-1, contacts 43, 15, Z1 and 23 to ground. Note that relay 40 does not operate at this time. Responsive to the operation of relay 50, X or preliminary contacts 57 open, disconnecting rotary magnet R from its ground, thus blocking secondary switch motion. Busy tone is sent to the calling subscriber station over a circuit traced from busy tone lead through contacts 52, Z2, the lower coil of line relay 30, contacts 42 to the calling loop and return over contacts 41 to the upper coil of relay 30 and battery. The switch releases when the calling subscriber closed hookswitch contacts by hanging-up. VThe release is then iaccomplished as describedI above. isolates the release magnet from wiper ground, i.e. current does not flow over the circuit extending from ground on wiper AW-l through wiring B, diode RRZ, contacts 56, N1 and the winding of magnet Z. Thus, on la B level,

switch-through relay 50 operates as a means for blocking,

further operation of the switch and for sending busy signals.

Digit-absorb-once and unlock (A wring).-Means is provided for causing the switch to drop-back, absorb one digit, and unlock if an A level is encountered during primary switch motion. In greater detail, responsive to the stepping of the auxiliary or vertical level wiper AW-1 to an A level, switch-through relay 50 is operated over the circuit extending from battery through the upper winding of relay 50, diode RRZ, wiring A, wiper AW-l, contacts 43, 15, Z1 and 23 to ground. When switch- Diode rectifier RRZ through relay 50 operates, two-step release magnet Z opv erates to its initial step over a path traced from negative battery on the RELEASE ALARM conductor, through the winding of release magnet Z, contacts N1, 56, wiring A, wiper AW-l, contacts 43, 15, Z1 and 23 to ground. The release mechanism RM is adapted to cause the switch to return to normal when the release magnet Z is operated to its initial step. After the switch does return to normal, ott-normal contacts N1 open to break the circuit over which magnet Z operated; however, as explained above another circuit has already closed at contacts Z1 for holding magnet Z on its resultant step.

When the release magnet operates contacts Z2 disconnect supervisory signals such as dial tone and busy tone from the line. With contacts Z1 operated, a circuit is completed to release magnet Z which can be traced from the negative battery on the RELEASE ALARM conductor through the winding of the release magnet Z, current limiting resistor RY1, vertical interrupter contacts V1, operated contacts Z1 and contacts 23 to ground. With this circuit, the reduced current causes release magnet Z to operate to its resultant step; whereupon, its contacts Z1 and Z2 remain operated but the release mechanism RM is returned to a normal condition, thereby allowing the switch to be stepped again.

Also in conjunction with the release of the switch to its normal condition, ott-normal contacts N1, N2 and N3 return to normal; whereupon, level-mark relay 40 is operated over a circuit traced from battery on relay 40 through contacts OFZ, resistance RY2, contacts 58 and N2 to ground; and is locked through a circuit including contacts OF2, resistance RY2, contacts 45 and 23 to ground. Responsive to the operation of level-mark relay 40, the hold circuit for switch-through relay 50 is opened at contacts 46, thus causing switch-through relay 50 to drop out. Also responsive to operation of level-mark relay 40, ground is removed from auxiliary Wiper AW-l when contacts 43 open. A ground path to rotary magnet R is prepared by the closure of contacts 44.

The selector is now in an unlocked condition, i.e. if vertical or *auxiliary wiper AW-l is directed to 'an A level la second time, switch-through relay 50 is not actuated because relay 40 is holding contacts 43 open and there is no ground on Iauxiliary wiper AW-l. It should be noted that during vertical or primary switch motion, vertical interrupter contacts V1 open to release magnet Z; however, dial tone is not returned to the line when contacts Z2 close because line relay 30 is disconnected from the talking conductors T and R responsive to the release of relay 10, as explained above. Normally open vertical interrupter contacts V2 are in the circuit to insure the complete release of mlagnet Z regardless of the short- ,ness of the pulse actuating vertical magnet V. A short kthe second digit is completed, series relay 10 drops out and closes the circuit to rotary magnet R as follows: battery, magnet R, contacts 33, 57, 44, 15, Z1 land 23 to ground. When series relay 10 returns to its unoperated condition, line relay 30 is connected as a lock-pulse relay which is operated in series with the rotary interrupter contacts R1 as explained above under the heading Hunt leve To summarize switch action at an A level: the operation of the auxiliary wiper AW-1 to an A level results in a digit-absorb-once-only operation through the interaction of switch-through relay 50, level mark relay 40 and two step release magnet Z. That is, when release magnet Z is operated via Wiring A to its initial step contacts Z1, Z2 and release mechanism RM are all actuated. When operated to its resultant step a unique operation occurs in that release mechanism RM is returned to normal while contacts Z1 and Z2 are still operated. Operated contacts Z2 remove any unnecessary supervisory signals, such as dial tone, trunk busy tone, normal busy tone, etc. The operation of level mark relay 40 unlocks the switch and allows rotary stepping when the switch is directed to an A level a second time.

Digit absorbed repeatedly (AR wirng).-In accordance with the invention, digits may be absorbed any number of times and without regard to the sequence in which they are dialed if the switch is directed in a primary direction to an AR level from which it always drops back.

When auxiliary wiper AW-l is directed to an AR level, release magnet Z is energized over a circuit traced from battery on the RELEASE ALARM conductor through the winding of magnet Z, contacts 55, wiring AR, auxiliary wiper AW-1, contacts 43, 15, Z1 and 23 to ground. Operation of release magnet Z returns the switch to normal and operates release magnet contacts Z1 and Z2. Contacts Z1 close the current limiting circuit including resistance RY1 to release magnet Z and contacts Z2 remove dial tone, all as described above in connection with the digit-absorbed-once level. As soon as dialing recommences, the limited current circuit is broken by operation of vertical interrupter contacts V1, thus releasing magnet Z as described above in connection with the digit-absorbed-once level. The operation just described is repeated as many times as an AR level is dialed, regardless of the sequence in which it is dialed.

summarizing switch operation at an AR level: when the switch is stepped to the AR level, release magnet Z operates thereby releasing the switch and removing dial tone. An A level is distinguished from an AR level by the fact that at the latter level neither relay 40 nor 50 is operated.

While the principles of the invention have been described above in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. In an electrical system, an automatic switch having a release magnet and a plurality of contacts, means for operating said switch to an oit-normal position, means responsive to a control signal of a predetermined strength for fully operating said release magnet, means responsive to a control signal of less than said predetermined strength for partially operating said release magnet, means responsive to the full operation of said release magnet for releasing said switch from said olf-normal position to return said switch to a normal position and for operating said plurality of contacts, and means responsive to said release magnet being in said partially operated condition for maintaining said plurality of contacts operated.

2. The system of claim 1 and means for applying supervisory signals to said system, means responsive t0 the operation of one of said plurality of contacts for disconnecting said supervisory signals, and means responsive to the release of said switch for reducing the strength of said control signal so that said control signal has less than said predetermined strength.

3. The system of claim 2 including auxiliary wiper` means on said automatic switch, and means for connecting said auxiliary wiper means to ground through another one of said plurality of contacts whereby when said another one of said plurality of contacts is operated said wiper means is disconnected from ground.

4. The system of claim 3 including means responsive to the operation of said switch to an olf-normal position for removing said control signal of less than said predetermined strength to totally release said release magnet.

No references cited.

KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM C. COOPER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AN AUTOMATIC SWITCH HAVING A RELEASE MAGNET AND A PLURALITY OF CONTACTS, MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID SWITCH TO AN OFF-NORMAL POSITION, MEANS RESPONSIVE TO A CONTROL SIGNAL OF A PREDETERMINED STRENGTH FOR FULLY OPERATING SAID RELEASE MAGNET, MEANS RESPONSIVE TO A CONTROL SIGNAL OF LESS THAN SAID PREDETERMINED STRENGTH FOR PARTIALLY OPERATING SAID RELEASE MAGNET, MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE FULL OPERATION OF SAID RELEASE MAGNET FOR RELEASING SAID SWITCH FROM SAID OFF-NORMAL POSITION TO RETURN SAID SWITCH TO A NORMAL POSITION AND FOR OPERATING SAID PLURALITY OF CONTACTS, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SAID RELEASE MAGNET BEING IN SAID PARTIALLY OPERATED CONDITION FOR MAINTAINING SAID PLURALITY OF CONTACTS OPERATED. 